About “Zero”

Zero was Corgan’s answer to the public’s perception of him as a Rock God. He expresses his reluctance to assume that role as he believes that such an indulgence can only lead to emptiness.

“Zero” became more than just a song to Billy Corgan; it became his alter-ego.

Zero is invincible. After all, it is nothing to begin with. He removes his ego out of the tumultuous music scene he found himself submerged in.

The song shares its namesake with Billy’s iconic “ZERO” shirt. Billy wore a Superman/Superslut long-sleeve tee for much of the Siamese Dream tour, in effect mocking himself: though the world saw him as a rock idol and a super hero, he saw it as an archetypal cliche. His solution was to declare to the public that he was worth nothing.

It is to say that ‘I’m not your god…

I’m your Zero
.

What have the artists said about the song?

We like to call this style of our music “Cybermetal.” “Zero” has six rhythm guitars, with two line-in 12-string acoustics, plus those wacky [James] Iha leads. Tracked live with overdubs added later, this is a true mover as well as the first song that was recorded for Mellon Collie, James has always said this reminds him of Judas Priest.